Bed traction device



June 18, 1957 2,796,061

BED TRACTION DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V lN TOR.

' WWW ML/W A T ram/E Y June 8, 57 A. H. MILLER BED TRACTION DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3, 1955 INVENTOR. 615 6 7. 07m

ATTORNEY United StatesPatent BED TRACTION DEVICE Al H. Miller, Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,297

1 Claim. (Cl. 12884) This invention'relates to an-improved traction device and has for one of its principal objects the provision of an apparatus of the class described which will constitute quite an improvement over constructions heretofore used in that it will be more comfortable for the patient, more readily operated by the physician or surgeon, and which will be more accessible and therefore additionally efiicient so far-as attendants, interns and nurses are concerned.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of a traction device which is fully adaptable for use on patients either in hospital or at home and regardless of the type or size of bed or other support for the patient.

Another object resides in the provision of readily adjustable weight carriers whereby the desired amount of pull can be varied to meet conditions and with a minimum expenditure of time and trouble.

Another important object of the invention is the provision in a traction device of means for practically instantaneously releasing the traction or pull whenever necessary or desirable, and as readily reinstating the same at predetermined times.

A still further important object of the invention resides in the production of a traction device which is adjustable both as to height and as to width so far as the pull is concerned, whereby various angular positions of the patients legs, arms or the like can be made with assurance of maximum results.

Yet another object is the provision in connection with a traction device of specially designed shoes for the feet and gear for the head of the patient, which shoes also provide angular adjustment and which include a high degree of comfort for the patient.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the improved traction device of this invention showing the same as actually applied to a patient on a bed.

Figure 2 is an end view of the construction illustrating more particularly the weights, the cords, the supporting pulleys, the quick release clamps and the adjusting means.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section, parts being broken away, taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a floor stand type of the traction device of this invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the weightholding platforms and illustrating the means for readily receiving and removing the weights themselves.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing more particularly the shoe construction, and is taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, looking downwardly.

iicc

or floor-contacting portion of the improved traction de vice of this invention, this comprising preferably or essentially a rectangular frame formed of tubular or other elements and having a pair of central uprights 12 positioned by angular brace elements 14. The uprights 12 are hollow and slidably receive an additional frame element comprising side portions 16 and a cross-piece 18, the same preferably of a unitary construction and likewise tubular. Adjustment as to height is provided by turn buckles or screws 20 in an obvious manner.

The apparatus is adapted to be positioned adjacent the foot of a bed 22-but obviously may be employed in other embodiments and in different positions.

The patient indicated by the reference numeral 24 has a special shoe fitted on to his or her foot or feet and in some cases, the patients head is held in position by means of a suitable head clamp or holder 28 fastened by cords or the like 30 to the head of the bed. This is not always necessary. Obviously the device may be applied to a patients hand by means of a glove instead of a shoe.

The shoe itself is fitted with a bottom rail element 32 preferably of metal having a series of openings 34 therein and a pin 36 (Figure 6) can be fitted into any one of the openings 34, this pin working in a yoke or clevis 38 to which is attached one end of a cord or chain 49 which runs over pulleys 42 fastened to the cross-brace 18 of the stand. These pulleys are shiftably mounted on the cross-brace 18 by means of clamping supports 44, whereby the angle of pull may be varied as desired.

The cord 40 terminates in a quick release element 46 of well-known construction having a latch element 48 whereby the sustaining grip on the cord can be quickly released, adjusted or again fixed as desired. Another cord 50 is supported by the quick release element 46 and this in turn supports a weight platform 52, the construction of which is best shown in Figure 5 and upon which any one or more of a series of weights 54 can be placed. There are two sets of cords, pulleys, releases,

weights, etc., and one or both can be employed as desired or necessary.

The weights are preferably disc-shaped with a central opening, and fit over a pin 56 in the bottom platform of the support 52 for ready insertion, removal or change, and without any danger of falling off, dropping on the toes of doctors, nurses or other attendants, or rolling away and getting lost.

The cord 40 has an enlarged terminal or button 60 at its end so that it cannot accidentally or inadvertently fall out of the quick release element 46.

The shoe 26 is composed mainly of leather with an inner lining of foam rubber 62, and is sufficiently large to accommodate most any size of foot while at the same time lacings 64 and 66 are provided at the front and back respectively so that adjustment can be had for various lfoot sizes and also to make for more comfort so far as the patient is concerned.

In Figure 8, a modified form of the invention is shown whereby the same can be readily applied to a hospital bed 72 and in this case, the floor stand is omitted and the upright element 76 is simply fastened to the bed frame by adjustable clamp elements 78 which are of usual construction and provided with winged nuts or other means for such adjustment.

It will be evident that herein is provided a traction device which can be alternatively used either in hospitals 9 or in the homes of patients and which Will provide far more comfort, convenience and operating efficiency than any such apparatus now on the market or being currently used, and whichwill eliminate many of the difliculties ordinarily encountered by doctors, interns, nurses or other attendants in these cases. The direction and amount of pull can be accurately controlled, quickly released, further adjusted, and the angle of pull on the foot or hand is additionally adjustable with a secure positioning of the patient at all times. The weights can be readily and safely placed in position and as readily removed, without danger or difficulty, and height and width adjustments are feasible under practically all conditions. The somewhat less expensive device can obviously be employed in quantities in hospitals with the same end results as the floor stand type.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A traction device comprising a supporting stand, a frame element comprising a cross-bar adjustably mounted in the stand, pulleys adjustably mounted on the crossbar, a traction cord adapted to extend from the patient and passing over a pulley and an adjustable weight platform at the other end of the cord, a quick release element included in the length of cord, the adjustable Weight platform including a central pin and a plurality of annular weights for the pin, a shoe for the patients foot, said shoe having further adjusting means for attachment of the cord thereto, said further adjusting means comprising a plate on the shoe bottom, said plate having openings therein for selective reception of the cord end, :a yoke and pin at the cord end for adjustable connection with the plate, the shoe having an inner lining of foam rubber and including front and back lacings, a connecting support for one extremity of the patient and a cushioned support for the patients head, the extremity connection being adjustable with regard to the traction device and the head support including fastening means for connection to the head of the bed, the supporting stand comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be positioned on the floor, uprights in the frame and clamps for adjustably fastening the support to the foot of a hospital bed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 896,114 Jacobson Aug. 18, 1908 1,021,688 Le Jeune Mar. 26, 1912 1,974,774 Gillberg Sept. 25, 1934 2,053,753 Wellington Sept. 8, 1936 2,186,036 Peachey Jan. 9, 1940 2,644,448 Jardine July 7, 1953 2,674,996 Stowell et a1 Apr. 13, 1954 2,696,208 Falls Dec. 7, 1954 2,740,399 Judovich Apr. 3, 1956 

